International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and Labrador

IATNL News

On November 28, the 4th general meeting of Cabox Aspiring Geopark was held at the Atrium of Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland in Corner Brook. In addition to updates on the past year's developments and a preview of next year's Canada 150/Cook 250 celebration, Grenfell History Professor Olaf Janzen gave a presentation on James Cook in Newfoundland.

On September 27-30, IATNL / Cabox Aspiring Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 7th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks at Torquay, England, where he learned more about the UNESCO Global Geopark programme and gave a presentation on next year's 250th Anniversary of James Cook completing his surveys of Western Newfoundland and Eastern Canada.

On September 19 to 25, IAT Ulster Ireland hosted the International Appalachian Trail Annual General Meeting, from Slieve League in County Donegal to Ballycastle, County Antrim. The week-long event included scenic hikes, historic tours, fine dining and tasty beers, all with the great hospitality this beautiful emerald island is renowned for.

On September 16 & 17, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol was in England visiting the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby and Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Marton. While there he gave a presentation on the 250th Anniversary of James Cook completing his surveys in Eastern Canada, most noteably in Newfoundland. In the coming years, James Cook 250will provide a unique opportunity for the IAT and partner UK National Trails to promote their natural and cultural heritage across the North Atlantic and South Pacific.

On September 2, Michigan long distance hiker Eric Moll became the first person to hike the complete IAT UltramaTrex in a single trek across the ultramafic sections of the Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex from Fox Island River to Trout River. Eric began the 7-day hike with his twin brother Andrew, who had to pull out with sore feet after 5 days hiking across the Lewis Hills and Blow Me Down Mountains. This is the story of Eric's hike, in his own words.

On a beautiful August 16, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and local adventurers Delano Pittman, Sharon MacDonald Lahey, Ulrica Murley-Pye and Ryan Oxford set off for Cabox on the IATNL Lewis Hills Trail on a mission to find a new hiking route connecting the highest point on the island of Newfoundland to the upper Fox Island River valley. Along the way they viewed cascading clear waterfalls, a vast landscape of ultramafic peridotite, winter's last snow and a family of caribou napping in the midday sun.

The IATNL is planning trail enhancement activities for 2016, including on the Humber Valley Trail, Grand Codroy Way, and French Shore Trail near Conche, with volunteers Katie Broadhurst and Alex Fortin channeling girl power. They are seeking adventure-loving low-maintenance volunteers to help on these popular yet under-maintained scenic trails. There is lots to do, but they know how to get 'er done and still have fun!

On April 8 & 9, IAT North America held its Annual Spring Council Meeting in Mabou, Nova Scotia, a Gaelic speaking region of Cape Breton. The two-day event held at Duncreigan Inn was an opportunity for the U.S. and Canadian chapters to gather to discuss common issues and joint initiatives, as well as provide updates on regional and international progress.

On a beautiful Monday morning in early March, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol dusted off his snowshoes for his first winter trek of 2016, on the recently completed IATNL Frenchman's Head Trail above the small Bay of Islands community of Frenchman's Cove. It is the newest section of the Hummock Trail, which links the Blow Me Down Mountains to the picturesque fishing community.

The 3rd general meeting of Cabox Aspiring Geopark was held Friday, March 4 at Memorial University's Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. In addition to updates on the past year's developments and a review of the upcoming application process, MUN Geologist Andy Kerr gave a special presentation entitled 'Newfoundland, the Bay of Islands, and the Geological Revolution'.

On February 22-23, IAT/Cabox Aspiring Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the Geological Association of Canada Annual Technical Meeting at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John's, where he gave a presentation on the International Appalachian Trail, UNESCO Global Geoparks and Cabox Aspiring Geopark in Western Newfoundland.

In 2014 Appalachian Mountain Explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, U.S.A. returned to Western Newfoundland to hike the Long Range Appalachians, including his first circumtrek of Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park. Having found the terrain "so varied and exciting", he returned again in 2015 to do it all over again!

The Spring 2016 Issue of Earth Heritage Magazine features their first story on the International Appalachian Trail. Check out the 45th issue of this "geological and landscape conservation magazine" for a detailed update on how far we've come and where we're headed, including Cabox Aspiring Geopark.